ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team (No. 15 USA Today/No. 16 USCHO) lost for the fifth straight time, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Bowling Green Falcons on Friday (Nov. 20) at Yost Ice Arena. Michigan led 2-1 in the third period, until BGSU scored three times in a span of 2:22 with two of the goals coming on the power play.

Michigan broke the ice midway through the opening frame during its first power-play opportunity when left wing David Wohlberg(South Lyon, Mich.) slid a pass across the blue line to a streaking Louie Caporusso(Woodbridge, Ontario), who weaved through a slew of Falcon defenders and snuck the puck beneath the goaltender while falling acrobatically across the crease.

Yet, with little more than one minute remaining in the first period, Bowling Green found the equalizer off a self-rebound by David Solway. Fighting his way into Wolverine territory, Solway flicked a shot into the chest of right wing A.J. Treais(Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), and on a second attempt, beat goalie Bryan Hogan(Highland, Mich.) over the right shoulder. The score (1-1), the shots on goal (10-10), and the play were all knotted up as the buzzer sounded for the first intermission.

Both teams had a fair share of excellent chances throughout the second stanza. Treais tipped a cross-ice pass as he was closing in on netminder Nick Eno that trickled just shy of the left post, while defenseman Brandon Burlon(Nobleton, Ontario) caused the puck to ricochet off the same iron from close range. Center Kevin Lynch(Grosse Pointe, Mich.) tried his luck with a dive across the crease with a shot that sailed just high. The Falcons felt the same fate, as one shot was absorbed by defenseman Chris Summers(Milan, Mich.), and the other was fanned on just feet from the cage.

Ultimately, the difference maker came in the form of center Robbie Czarnik(Washington, Mich.). Defenseman Lee Moffie(Wallingford, Conn.) cycled back into the U-M zone to collect a loose puck, and ushered it along to left wing Lindsay Sparks(Oakville, Ontario), who, from the left-hand boards, fed a pinpoint pass to a flying Czarnik down the center of the ice. With little hesitation, Czarnik bore down and fired a laser with the flick of the wrist into the top shelf from the right faceoff circle to give the Maize and Blue a 2-1 lead entering the final 20 minutes.

Michigan let the Falcons back into the game by taking two early penalties in the third period. Working on a five-on-three power play, the Falcons worked the puck around the U-M zone, opening space for defenseman Kyle Page, who one-timed a rocket into the back of the net. Just 1:14 later and still on the power play, BGSU forward Tommy Dee easily found a wide-open net off a shot deflected by Hogan. A mere 1:08 following, James Perkin popped another rebound over the left shoulder of Hogan to put Bowling Green up, 4-2.

Despite a power-play chance halfway into the third stage and four late possibilities that nearly fell the Wolverines' way, the Maize and Blue could not respond.

The Wolverines commute to Toledo, Ohio, to cap off their home-and-home series with the Falcons tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 21). Faceoff at Lucas County Arena is booked for 7:05 p.m.